Getting A Thank You by Snail Mail! by DL Larson

A couple of weeks ago I did a writers workshop for a group of 5th & 6th graders. It was a great time and I had hoped the students enjoyed the session. Whether they learned anything or not, I had no idea ... until I received a large packet in the mail the other day.

The students sent me not just a thank you note, they wrote individual letters. In past workshops, I've received pictures ~ either colored or ones the teacher has taken. I always enjoy receiving those. Other times I have received a thank you card where each student has signed their name, etc. This group of kids went beyond all that.

I'm sharing with you because kids are writers too and we as adults sometimes forget that. We know they have to write for homework assignments, etc. and an occasional thank you note, but to sit and hand write a letter was new for me to receive. With all the social media these days, I didn't think kids did that sort of thing anymore.

I had told the kids they could call me, DL, or Mrs. Deb.

Hope you enjoy ...

'Dear Miss Deb,
   Thank you for being in our classroom yesterday! I had sooo much fun. I liked to learn about genres and characters. That was my favorite part. I learned so many things like different genres, developing characters, action verbs, different parts of a story. Oh, I could go on forever of how much I learned and had fun! I liked how much the class and I learned.
                                                                          Thank you, Emily'

'Dear D.L.,
  Thank you so much for coming to our school to each us about being an author! It was really fun. It was so cool how you took "he" and changed him into "Nate Yorkston" and "school" to "Frankenstein Academy." It was a very fun experience that I will never forget. I hope you had a great Halloween!
                                                                           Thanks, Mackenzie'

'Dear D.L.,
  Thank you for teaching us how to be a author. I learned how to plan a story first and developing characters and parts of a story. Happy Halloween!!! Thank you!!
                                                           boo                       Thanks, Alyssa'

Dear Miss Deb,
  Thank you for coming yesterday and teaching us about being an Author! It was so nice of you for coming and showing us types of genres, developing characters, action verbs, different parts of a story and CONFLICT and struggles. I think it's really cool that your an author. I myself  (heart) reading!
                                                                                       Sincerely, Isabell'

'Dear Miss Deb,
  I have learned a lot about your presentation Thursday. I learned about developing characters, action verbs, different parts of a story and an author needs imagination. Thank you for teaching us and me. Also thank you for taking time out of your time and the treats.
                                                                                     Sincerely, Ariana'

'Dear Mrs. Larson,
   Thank you for inspiring us to read more, but most of all to be an author. You really touched my heart and taught me about so many different genres. Also thanks for teaching us how to write a story and what it takes to do it. I also learned about how to organize and plan a story and how to make them bigger. You were fun and I also wanted to thank you for the treats and the pencil. Hopefully you could come back soon, you were so much fun!!!
                                                                                 Thanks you, Alex'

'Dear Mrs. Larson, (the only one written in cursive!)
   Thank you for coming in to our class to teach us. I learned about creating interesting characters, action verbs, and different parts of a story. My class also learned about planning the story first. Happy Halloween!
                                                                                Thank you, Wes'

'Dear Miss Deb,
   I really appreciate you for coming to our school. You were so nice to us. I learned about all of the different genres, also you showed us how to make a story. I didn't know all these things but you teached us all more about a developing story, genres, characters and setting. Happy Halloween, from Aaron'


Feedback is always a good thing. I won't bore you with the other letters; they are very similar and written with an eagerness I sometimes forget young people have. I believe the two big words for the day were: genre and CONFLICT. So I feel I've planted a few seeds for these young writers.

I'm always revved up after I've done a kids workshop. The prep work and the implementation inspires me. So by helping others, I end up helping myself. I call that a win-win.

Hope their enthusiasm inspires you to write as well!

'Til next time ~

DL Larsonwww.DLLARSON.com

Stormy Weather

Stormy weather sometimes comes in handy writers. Here are some ways:

1. Personal stormy weather - Sharing our own rough patches with others can help others make it through similar ordeals, and let them know they are not alone. Also, sometimes sharing can make us feel better.

2. Stormy weather writing -   Sometimes writing helps to take our minds off our troubles.

3. Meteorological stormy weather - What better way to describe thunder storms, lightning, strong winds, and other stormy weather than to get firsthand experience? It's not the most comfortable way, but we might as well put what we've observed to use in our books.

Can you think of other ways stormy weather comes in handy?

Find all of Morgan Mandel's books at

http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/morgan.mandel

Twitter: @MorganMandel

Judging Writing Contests! by DL Larson

Writing contests are beneficial for aspiring writers and seasoned writers. Hearing feedback from another writer is a great way to improve one's writing. If one is willing to listen and learn.

In a writing group I belong to, we had a discussion on the over use of 'now' and 'then'. I believe it started from an article in a writing magazine. Of course I can't find the article - why is that? I can find a dozen magazines, but the one I want is missing . . . Anyway, then and now are considered, usually, as construction words. Once the story is written, most of the 'then' and 'now' should come away without harm to the sentence structure. I noticed many 'then' and 'now' in the entries I read. I shared my newly remembered tidbit to the entrants.

Recently I received a critique on a section of my WIP. A few of my writing group members highlighted the 'then' and 'now' dotted across my work. It was one of those LOL moments. I will take their good advice and kick them off the page.

A few other common mistakes I found judging, I'd like to share:

 

1. Use past tense to keep the action moving. Ex: 'was running' = ran. 

     Passive verbs can not sustain suspense, intrigue or excitement. 

2. POV hopping. 

    Basic rule: keep one point of view to each scene.

3. Setting.

    Tell/show your reader where your character is at all times.

4. Plot

    Decide the purpose of the story. You don't have to know all the details from the unset, but if you don't have a clear understanding how your character needs to reach his/her goal, it shows on the page. Ask your character the tough questions: 

        - what does it take to succeed?

        - what are the stumbling block?

       - what is their deepest fear?

       - how will they grow in order to reach their goal?

5. Character Development

    Make your character(s) engaging. Bad guy or good guy - doesn't matter. Just make him/her real!

    Repeat this procedure with every character in your story.

    Character driven stories will propel your book in a direction you might not have intended. That's an   

    exciting thing. 

I thoroughly enjoyed judging the entries of the Four Season Contest, sponsored by Windy City RWA. Thank you all for allowing me to read your work. I hope the experience was rewarding for you.

'Til next time ~

DL Larsonwww.DLLARSON.com

All In A Day! by DL Larson

Thursday is my day off. Thursday is my day to blog. Thursday is my day to run errands. And Thursday is my day to take my grandson to his horse riding lessons. I usually end each Thursday with one of two things: a church meeting or going to the local tavern for their Thursday night chicken special.

Today, I added one more thing. I had a writers workshop for a group of 5th and 6th graders at their school. The 9:00 a.m. schedule had me fearing I'd over sleep. But I made it in plenty of time. I never know what I'm walking into with a classroom setting. Some kids are genuinely excited to see me, others think it will be boring and their faces convey that to me. I hope I didn't disappoint anyone, especially the doubting ones.

I learned something new today. The 5th and 6th grade kids were not familiar with Harry Potter. I usually use this story to break down plot, characters, setting, etc. When we started this section of the workshop, blank looks filled the students' faces. They didn't know Harry's closest friends. They didn't know the bad guys. I was surprised. As a children's librarian I shouldn't have been so shocked. Harry has not left the shelves for a while now.

I needed a new connection with the kids. The class teacher, Lori Safranek, explained they were in the middle of reading the book, Wonder, by R.J. Palacio. Thankfully I have read Wonder. 

We proceeded with Wonder, the story of Augie, a fifth grader who has physical deformities. He goes to school for the first time in his life. Every day he encounters many things, rudeness being one of the nicer things that happens to him. But Augie won't give up. He wants a normal life like a normal ten year old boy.

This book turned out to be a great example for breaking down plot, learning what it takes to make a character real, etc. The kids got involved and that's what counted.

After my workshop, it was time for Colton's horse lessons. Then back home to playing with Thomas the Train and watching Planes. After my grandson's visit, I was ready for a nap. It's cold and dreary out, and did I mention I have a bum foot these days? I should prop it up. I also have judging to do for the Four Season Writers Contest. Judging is due next week and I'm far from done. My church meeting begins in seventy minutes.

I've realized Thursday is my busiest day of the week. I always think I will catch up on my writing, get the laundry done and maybe some cleaning. Okay, no cleaning ... but the day flies by in blur. My list of Things To Do never enters my mind.

I've decided my priorities need re-arranging for Thursdays. From this day forward, I declare Thursday, my day to do what I want! I intend to scratch my expectations of doing laundry on Thursdays. Cleaning has already been booted off the list, and my writing may suffer neglect on Thursdays, but that's okay too. I will try my best to blog each Thursday, but if you do not see my post, know that I am out living my life, doing things I need and want to do. Like horse back riding lessons, playing with Thomas the Train and watching Planes.

Til next time ~

DL Larson
www.DLLARSON.com

Staying In Touch With Readers! by DL Larson

Although I don't have a new book out, I was invited to the Oswego Literary Festival at the Oswego Library on October 3rd. I debated whether I should go or not. I've nothing new or exciting to add to my collection of books, but I went anyway ... to keep my name and face in view of the public.

Pictured with me is Luisa Buehler, a cozy mystery writer. I met Luisa many years ago at a Windy City RWA meeting. Luisa has sold a lot of books over the years. She is well known in the Chicago area and beyond! We had a great time chatting and I'm always glad to sit by someone so knowledgeable about the writing field. Check out Luisa's home page and her Grace Marsden Mystery Series at: http://luisabuehler.com/

These two ladies were at the Oswego Lit Fest as well. On the left, is Nicole Lieren, with her debut novel, More Than One Night.Visit Nicole at https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/9148502-spotlight-and-guest-post-nicole-lieren-author-of-more-than-one-nighthttps://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/9148502-spotlight-and-guest-post-nicole-lieren-author-of-more-than-one-night 

On the right, is NY Best Selling Author Denise Swanson. Visit Denise at: http://www.deniseswanson.com/ These gals are active members of the Windy City RWA as well. And it was great to see their smiling faces throughout the day.

As a librarian, I know attending Literary Festivals is great publicity for an author, but not the best in making sales. And that's okay. A festival gives readers an idea of the many talented authors in their area. Plus readers have the chance to discover new writers they may not have noticed before. They have the opportunity to chat with authors and better understand the hard work that goes into being a writer.

I'm glad I took the time to attend the festival. A BIG thank you to the Oswego Public Library and to the Village of Oswego Cultural Arts Commission for hosting the event.

Til next time ~

DL Larson

www.DLLARSON.com

Through Someone Else's Eyes

Last night I brought the first page of my thriller, with the working title of Wide Awake, to be critiqued by my RWA Chapter, and I'm glad I did. It's amazing how everything that seemed so clear to me confused the other members.

Fortunately, I now know what to do to remedy the problem. Goes to show, it really helps to get fresh eyes looking over a manuscript.

I suggest you find at least a few people who are willing to start you out in the right direction, even if they don't have the time to read your entire manuscript. It will make all the difference!

Find all of my completed books at http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel and
also excerpts and links at http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com
Join me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com.morgan.mandel


 
 
 
 
 
If you don't yet have your free copy of my first thriller, Two Wrongs, the ebook version is still available on Amazon at:http://amzn.com/B006LSE4FC and is also free at most other venues.

Biltmore Estate by Margot Justes

I just returned from visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, and I thought I'd share a few pictures with you. It is reputed to be the largest 'house' in the country with 255 rooms. The place is worth a visit, or two, or three...I'm heading back in November for their Christmas celebrations. 

Cheers,

Margot  Justes

Blood Art

A Fire Within

A Hotel in Paris

A Hotel in Bath

A Hotel in Venice

www.mjustes.com